3 minute read
Food Systems
YOUTH ACT ON INNOVATIVE WAYS TO SOLVE THE REAL-WORD CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLY FEEDING A GROWING POPULATION.
Illinois 4-H youth are building their capacity to address their community’s needs while moving us forward towards a more sustainable future.
Claire Doelling of Edwards County finishes planting the tomato plant she received in the Little Roots program. Little Roots is a gardening program for children 5-7 years old, it is a great activity for 4-H Cloverbud clubs or individuals. The program encourages and inspires youth to grow their own food and flowers and to increase interest in 4-H and gardening project areas. Photo credit: Lauren Doellilng
Little Roots Gardeners in Edwards County made “growing” bracelets and learned about the six basic elements’ plants need to grow and thrive.
Illinois teens become advocates for food access and security
What does it mean to be hungry? Illinois 4-H teens challenged experts in the fields of food access, food security, and food justice to learn how to advocate for others in their communities.
Attendees of the Illinois 4-H Food Action Summit worked with University of Illinois researchers, non-profit professionals, food advocates, and civic leaders in workshops designed to empower young people to strengthen their leadership and work to create food security in their communities.
4-H GOES VIRTUAL
COMPEER Financial provided financial support for this event through the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
4-H is investing in the next generation of food access leaders
Families across Illinois have more food on their table, and youth are leading the way. Illinois 4-H Food Advocacy Grants are aimed at helping youth become food advocates right in their own communities.
The grant initiative creates a network of youth leaders around Illinois who are personally invested in creating food security in their community.
FOOD ADVOCACY TEAM The Illinois 4-H Food Advocacy team is a group of teens and young adults who are recognized for their dynamic leadership and who work to increase their impact on the future of food in Illinois. Team members influence the annual Illinois 4-H Food Action Summit event and provide support for Food Systems programming in Illinois.
89% of Summit attendees felt motivated to take action on food security where they live.
The BRANDT Foundation provided financial support for these grants through the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
-Youth Survey Response
Anthony Joiner, Macoupin County Avani Rai, McLean County Courtney Lynn, Hamilton County Elaan Bader, Montgomery County Elisha Burkett, Williamson County Libby Larkin, Livingston County Lillian Kennedy, Ogle County Marissa Mintle, Adams County Peter Metevier, McLean County Rachel Wolff, Macoupin County Sara Lopez, Boone County Sophia Holmes, Cook County Kohen Stolte, Montgomery County Saralynn Joiner, Macoupin County Katelyn Allen, White County The Silver Spurs 4-H Club of Shelby County put their hands to larger service by purchasing kid-friendly food items and packing them into 70 backpacks.
The Ellery Panthers, Blue Ribbon, Bone Gap Cardinals, Little Wabash Ramblers and Yankees of Edwards county used a Food Advocacy Grant to purchase food items for local churches to distribute to families in need. Pope County youth created a space to address food insecurity in their communities through the creation of a high tunnel greenhouse. Youth assisted in the management of the tunnel by planning, planting, growing, and harvesting fresh produce that was then donated to area families, food pantries, and community organizations.
